If you’re looking at applying for a Revvi credit card, it usually means you’re trying to rebuild your finances or start building credit. Let’s dive into this Revvi Visa® Credit Card review. It’s issued by Mid America Bank Trust. We’ll break down its features, costs, and see if it’s a good fit for folks with bad or thin credit. We’ll check out the application, the fees, how well it helps build credit, and look at other options. This will help you figure out if this secured card matches your money goals.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- A quick look at the Revvi card and its main features.
- How to apply and your chances of getting approved.
- The card’s perks and how it actually helps your credit score.
- The downsides and things users often worry about.
- What real people are saying in their Revvi card reviews.
- Our final take and who we’d recommend it for.
- Answers to common questions.
Let’s dive into the Revvi Credit Card, what it is and what it offers.
So, what exactly is the Revvi Credit Card?
First off, the Revvi card is a secured Visa, meant to help you build credit. Mid America Bank Trust, which is FDIC insured, issues it. The big difference from regular cards is you need to put down a refundable security deposit.
That deposit usually determines your credit limit. This setup lowers the bank’s risk, but it also gives folks a way to start fixing their FICO score.
Who’s it for? Mainly people with bad credit or no credit history at all. The main goal is to help you build or rebuild your credit. How? By using it responsibly, because your payments get reported to all three major credit bureaus.
A credit expert from the NFCC points out that secured cards can work well if you use them right. But you gotta be careful—the costs need to be worth the credit-building boost you get.
Now, let’s break down the fees and costs.
Looking at both the upfront and ongoing charges is key to figuring out if this card is a good deal. If you’re thinking of applying, you’ll need to budget for a few must-pay fees on top of your security deposit.
| Fee Type | Amount | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Program Fee | $89 – $149 | One-time, charged upon account opening |
| Annual Fee | $75 – $125 | Charged annually |
| Monthly Servicing Fee | $0 – $10.40 | Charged monthly (varies by state) |
| Security Deposit | $200 – $3,000 | Refundable, sets initial credit line |
Let’s do a quick cost check. Add up the first-year costs—the program fee, annual fee, and those monthly fees—and you’re looking at over $300 easily, and that’s before you even buy anything. That’s a pretty big downside, all these high fees. You really need to ask yourself if building your credit is worth that much money. Especially since if you shop around, you might find a cheaper secured card from a credit union or a big bank.
Application Process and Approval Odds
How to Apply for the Revvi Card
Here’s how you apply for the Revvi card: you do it all online. You’ll have to give them some personal info, like your name, address, Social Security Number, and birthday.
They’ll also ask for financial details, such as your income and housing payment, plus your contact info. First, they do a soft credit check. That one won’t hurt your credit score.
If you move forward, they’ll do a hard inquiry, which might cause a small, temporary dip in your score. And if you get approved, be ready to pay the security deposit online.
Now, about eligibility and getting approved: even though the Revvi card is made for people with lower credit scores, getting it isn’t a sure thing. The company looks at your income compared to your bills.
They also check for any major recent negative marks, like a bankruptcy. From what users say, even if you have a recent charge-off or your income is really low, you could still get turned down.
They don’t officially list a minimum credit score. But really, this card is geared toward folks with poor credit, usually scores under 580.
Card Benefits and Credit Building Mechanics
Building Credit with Revvi
The biggest perk of the Revvi Visa? It reports to all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If you want to boost your credit score, paying on time, every time, is the number one thing that matters.
To steer clear of those really damaging late payments, just set up autopay for at least the minimum amount. Also, try not to max out your card. Keeping your balance well below your credit limit—shoot for under 30%—is key for getting your score up as much as possible.
Practical Usage Strategy: Here’s a good strategy for building credit with it: just use the card for small, regular bills that you know you can pay off completely every month.
That way, you show you’re using the card responsibly without racking up a bunch of high-interest debt. One user said, After a year, their score jumped 68 points, though they did mention the fees were pretty high.
Just remember, you’ll only get your security deposit back if you close the account in good standing, which usually happens after you qualify for and switch to a regular, unsecured card.
Potential Drawbacks and User Concerns
High Fees and Cost Considerations
Let’s talk about the fees first. When people review the Revvi card, the biggest complaint is always about all the different charges. The program fee really gets people upset. Here’s why: it comes right out of your starting credit limit.
So, you put down a deposit, but you don’t get to use all of it as credit. Say you deposit $300. They take a $125 program fee off the top. That leaves you with just $175 to actually spend. This shrinks your available credit right away.
That makes it harder to keep your credit usage low, which can slow down how fast your credit score improves.
Now, how does Revvi stack up against other ways to build credit? Honestly, it might not be the best deal money-wise. A lot of credit unions have secured cards with no program fee at all.
Their yearly fees are often lower, and some even give you rewards. Back in 2023, the CFPB put out a report. It said fees on cards for people with lower credit are going up. Their advice? Definitely shop around before you decide.
You might want to look into a credit-builder loan or a secured card from a local bank or credit union. You could get the same credit-building boost, but probably for less money overall.
Customer Service and Support Channels
Need help with your Revvi card? You’ll go through Mid America Bank Trust’s customer service. Your main way to reach them is by phone. They’re usually open on weekdays. To manage your account, you’ll use their website or a mobile app.
A word of advice: read all the fine print on your agreement. Also, keep good records of every payment and any time you talk to them. Why? Because, according to folks online, sorting out billing problems or fee mix-ups with Revvi can take a really long time.
Let’s talk about Revvi Card reviews and what users really think.
So, what’s the word from users?
Looking at reviews from different sites, the feedback is all over the place. People who like it say it’s easy to get, even with bad credit, and it reports to the credit bureaus reliably.
On the downside, folks complain a lot about the high fees, confusing bills, and getting help from customer service can be tough. A common thread is that people are glad for the chance to build credit, but they think you pay way too much for what you get.
| Category | The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Getting Approved | You can get it even with a really low score. | But they take a big chunk of your credit line for fees right away. |
| Building Your Credit | It reports every month, which can help your score go up. | However, because the fees eat up your limit, your credit utilization looks high, which isn’t great. |
| Is It Worth the Cost? | Some see the fees as a necessary evil to fix their credit. | Others point out there are better and cheaper cards out there. |
| Customer Service Experience | Managing your account online works fine. | But if you need to call them, be ready to wait, and sorting out problems can be a hassle. |
Looking long-term, a lot of users have a success story. After using the Revvi card responsibly for a year or a year and a half, they move on to a regular, unsecured card with much better terms. The trick is to have a plan to get out. Once your credit score gets better—usually around 640 or higher—go ahead and apply for a card with no yearly fee. Then, close your Revvi account and ask for your security deposit back. This way, the Revvi card becomes just a short-term step to better credit, not a pricey card you’re stuck with forever.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
Who Should Consider Applying?
So, who should actually apply for the Revvi credit card? It’s really for a specific group. If you’ve been turned down for other secured cards over and over.
and you need your payments reported to the credit bureaus fast to fix a thin or bad credit history, then Revvi might work for you. Just know it’s a pricey option. Think of it as a last-resort tool.
Only use it for active credit repair when you’ve tried everything else and nothing else is available. If you can, you should definitely look into secured cards from credit unions or big banks first. Try those options before you even consider Revvi.
If you do decide to go ahead with your Revvi credit card application, you gotta have a solid plan. First, figure out exactly how much it’ll cost you in the first year. Put down the biggest security deposit you can manage.
This gives you a higher credit limit to start with, which helps your credit utilization score. Only use the card for small purchases and make sure you pay the full balance every single month.
Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to check your credit score again in six months, and then again at the one-year mark. Once your score starts going up steadily, start looking for your next card—the one you really want. The goal is to move on from Revvi as quickly as you can.
To wrap it up, the Revvi Credit Card does have a place for building credit, but the fees are high. For a lot of people, the costs might not be worth it. Its main value is how easy it is to get, even if your credit history is really bad.
But if you’re careful with your money, you should check out secured cards with lower fees from credit unions or major banks first. If you do pick Revvi, use it smartly.
Treat it as a short-term fix to rebuild your credit, then switch to a better card that’s easier on your wallet. Have you ever used a secured card to fix your credit? Drop your stories or questions in the comments!
Or, if you want other options, check out our detailed guide called Low-Cost Credit Building Strategies.
Here are some common questions people have.
So, what credit score do you need to get the Revvi card?
They don’t officially say you need a minimum FICO score. The thing is, the Revvi Visa card is really made for folks with poor or bad credit. A lot of people with scores under 580—that’s the poor credit range—get approved for it. When you apply, they’ll also look at your income and other money stuff.
Alright, how much does the Revvi card actually cost you that first year?
Let me tell you, the costs add up fast in year one. You’ve got a one-time program fee that can be anywhere from $89 to $149. Then there’s an annual fee, which runs $75 to $125.
On top of that, you might pay a monthly servicing fee—that could be up to $10.40 each month. So, not even counting the security deposit you might get back, you’re looking at shelling out anywhere from $250 to well over $400 that first year. It all depends on which fees they charge you.
Okay, but does the Revvi card actually help you build your credit?
Yeah, it definitely can. Here’s why: the company reports everything—your payments and how your account is doing—to all three big credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The trick is to pay on time every month and don’t max out your card.
Keep that balance low compared to your limit. Do that consistently, and your credit score should start to improve.
What other cards are out there instead of the Revvi card?
You might want to check out secured cards. Credit unions, like Navy Federal or one near you, often have them. So do big banks—think the Discover it® Secured card or the Capital One Platinum Secured.
These cards usually come with lower fees, or sometimes no annual fee at all. Some even give you rewards. And the best part? If you use it well and graduate to a regular unsecured card.
you get your deposit back. Just make sure you compare all the costs and the fine print before you apply for anything.
